Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia

After redshirting as freshman in 2004, Clint Sintim started every game as a freshman in 2005 and never looked back. During that freshman campaign he ranked fifth on the team in tackles, third in sacks and fourth in tackles-for-loss. His numbers steadily improved over his career and he tallied 45 tackles, 12.0 tackles-for-loss and four sacks in 2006. By his junior year Sintim was a leader of the defense and recorded 77 tackles, ranking third on the team. By his senior campaign he totaled 70 tackles, 11.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles-for-loss. His 0.92 sacks per game average in 2008 was the best among linebackers in the entire nation and he was rewarded with second-team All-ACC honors. Despite all the sacks, Sintim is a well balanced outside linebacker. He can deliver the big hit, get to the quarterback and drop back into coverage. At 6-3 and 254 pounds, he has the size to be a dominating linebacker in the NFL. To many pundits, Sintim is the second best outside linebacker after Wake Forest's Aaron Curry. That would put him ahead of players like Brian Cushing and Marcus Freeman. Senior week and the combine will be the difference maker, but Sintim could end up being a first round selection. He may not have gotten much recognition during the season due to the relatively poor performance of the Cavaliers, but that will change now. 3/24 Update: Sintim was a hot prospect after the season ended. However, he was not that impressive during Senior Week and his NFL Combine was equally average. His biggest problem during Senior Week was his inability to play in space and many teams will try and move him into the middle of the linebacker corps. Sintim is still a productive player who should be off the board by the end of the first day. 4/16 Update: Sintim's experience in a 3-4 scheme at college makes him a safer choice than many others. While scouts scour their notes and game tape for any hints at whether an individual can successfully move into a 3-4 defense, everybody knows Sintim can do it. That can only help so much though and at this point, Sintim should be a second rounder.